A Short History And Explanation Of Pyrotechnics (new2)

A short history and explanation of pyrotechnics (and general explosives )

By Marcus Christensen

When it started and where py rot ech nic s

Most people agree that the first explosive ever made was black powder (gunpowder) and the earliest evidence of black powder was about 2000 years ago in China. But it wasn't until about 960bc that it was successfully used for the creation of firecrackers.

Black powder affect on history and culture Black powder and its successor gunpowder had an adverse effect on China and the world for that matter. The Chinese first used black powder in the form of fire arrows. These fire arrows were used in 1279 to defend China from the invading Mongol Hordes. The arrows weren’t physically very affective but they were a powerful psychological weapon.

Fire arrow barrage (post-1300)

How the different colours created In fireworks and firecrackers they use many different chemicals or substances these chemicals are mixed with gunpowder and a binding agent such as starch to create stars which are used in most aerial fireworks.

Fireworks & firecracker Since the Chinese started making fireworks the concept spread to Asia and Europe. The design of the firework fundamentally hasn’t changed but there are more types than can be counted these include: Fi recr acke r s • Roman candles

Fi rewor ks • Arial shells

• Catherine wheel

• Rockets & missiles

•

• Bottle rockets

Mines

• fountains • Sparklers • Smoke bomb

How a roman candle works Roman candles five components these are: • • • • •

7-10 lifting charges 7-20 stars Delay composition sawdust/cardboard Fuse Container (plugged)

When a roman candle is used the fuse lights the first lifting charge which propels the star out and lights the next lifting charge, so on and so on.

How a Catherine wheel works Catherine wheels have 3 main components these are: • • •

The drivers The strut The fuses

The drivers are the main part of the firecracker they propel the firework around in circles. once the first driver runs out of propellant a second fuse ignites the second driver.

How a mine works Mines have five components these are: • • • •

A lifting charge 50-100 stars Fuse Container (with stand)

When you light a mine you light a quite large lifting charge which propel a even larger amount of stars through the tube.

How an aerial firework works Aerial fireworks have six components these are: •

The shell

•

The bursting charge

•

Stars

•

Time delay fuse

•

Mortar tube

(a thick paper Mache container) (a charge that spread the stars)

(small projectiles)

(a fuse that ensures the bursting charge goes off at the right time) (the tube used to propel the shell)

Once these components are put together they create an aerial shell an aerial which can be fired from a mortar or stat holes

How an fountain works works Fountains have three components these are: • • •

A mixture of gunpowder will a high sulphur content and small aluminum pieces A container (with stand and choke point) Fuse

When the fountain is lit it ignites the mixture of gunpowder and the flame is concentrated at the choke point and is

Different types of explosives The re a re f ou r dif fer en t typ es ex plo si ves t he se inc lu de : • • • •

Blasting agents High explosives Low explosives Primary/Initiating Explosives

• • • • •

ANFO (ammonium nitrate ) T.N.T. (trinitrotoluene) Dynamite RDX (T4) Pentolite

Specific explosives

ANFO Advant ages ANFO is a extremely simple explosive its just ammonium nitrate & a type two fuel such as diesel it can be used for mining but has a bad name as a terrorist related explosive. Di sadvantage The s problem with ANFO is that its very volatile and it can detonate while in use.

T.N.T.

Advantages TNT is high explosive although some militias use it. It commonly used for mining and minor demolition Di sadvantage s TNT is a powerful explosive but exposure can cause a yellowing of the skin. It also affects the liver, spleen and blood

Dynamite Advant ages

The advantages of Dynamite is that its cheap and easy to produce explosive. its classified as a high explosive and has the ability to shatter rock.

Di sadvantage s disadvantages of Dynamite is that after a period The

of time it leaks nitroglycerine which crystallizes, these crystals are highly volatile and will detonate with a sharp blow.

RDX Advant ages RDX isn't a powerful explosive on its own but its more commonly mixed with other explosives and plasticizers to create explosives such as C, C2, C3, C4, cyclotol and H6 just to name a few. Di sadvantage s disadvantages of RDX is that its very The expensive and on its own its harmless unless mixed with another explosive

Pentolite Advant ages Penolite is a extremely powerful military explosive that burns at

Di sadvantage s

Weaponry that uses explosive throughout history the have been wars and there have been guns from a simple musket to the American (insert word) the way a gun works is to create a small explosion in the barrel that propels a projectile out of the gun at high speeds. This is the basic principal of a gun but

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Thermite Advant ages Thermite is a